Here is our list of the best Honky Tonk dance bars in Austin. No stay in Austin is complete without exploring it’s music roots. Nothing says Texas, or Austin for that matter, than pulling on your boots and circling on the sawdust to some great country music.

Mercer Dancehall

Mercer Dancehall - Austin Honky Tonk & Dance Hall - Driftwood TX
Mercer Dancehall – Austin Honky Tonk & Dance Hall – Driftwood TX

Mercer Dancehall, located just outside Austin in Driftwood, Texas brings the historic Texas Dancehall to life again. Mercer Dancehall delivers its “more than just a dancehall” feel with their variety of music, events, and onsite rental cabins. From good ol country music to blues and rock n roll, Mercer Dancehall brings to life what live music is all about.

Where: 23490 Ranch Rd 12
Phone: (512) 858-4314
Web: Mercer Dancehall

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Broken Spoke

Out front at Austin's legendary Broken Spoke.  Photo: Will Taylor - LostinAustin.org
Out front at Austin’s legendary Broken Spoke. Photo: Will Taylor – LostinAustin.org

The Broken Spoke is one of Texas’ most definitive dance hall. Voted “Best Dancehall in Texas” by Texas Highway, it’s not one of those fly-by-night, trendy newcomers, you see springing up in some out-of-business lumber yard or feed store on every corner. You can’t build a legend overnight. Owners James and Annetta White have been operating the Austin tradition since 1964 and its reputation for great live country music and good Texas cooking is World Famous!

Where: 3201 S Lamar Blvd.
Phone: (512) 442-6189

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Sam’s Town Point

Sam's Town Point - South Austin Live Music Honky Tonk
Sam’s Town Point – South Austin Live Music Honky Tonk

Sam’s Town Point, a south Austin icon, has been delivering ice cold beer and foot-tappin’ live music since 1981. Sam’s lacks glossy modern architecture, serves no craft cocktails, and brags no contrived concept. It feels like old Austin because it’s been a working class neighborhood joint since phone booths. Sam’s sport’s two stages – indoor and out and a roomy beer garden.

While others chase the zeitgeist of Austin, Sams’ Town Point exudes a lowfalutin’ creative fortitude that’s refreshingly real. Spend some time poking around the compound and you’ll know what makes it special: the people.

Where: 2115 Allred Drive
Phone: (512) 965-6028
Web: Sam’s Town Point

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The White Horse

Shuffleing sawdust at Austin's eastside The White Horse.  Photo: Will Taylor - LostinAustin.org
Shuffleing sawdust at Austin’s east side The White Horse. Photo: Will Taylor – LostinAustin.org

Live country music is served up in this hip, upbeat, sprawling honky-tonk with a taco truck outside. The White Horse features a full-service bar, outdoor patio and smoking area, live music seven days a week, two pool tables, Bomb Tacos taco trailer, a giant dance floor, a pretty little photo booth, shoe shine station, and whiskey on tap. Home of The Two Step: $5 for a Lonestar & a shot of T.W. Samuels!

Where: 500 Comal St.
Phone: (512) 553-6756
Web: The White Horse

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Poodie’s Hilltop Roadhouse

Poodie's Hilltop Roadhouse - Hill Country Honky Tonk Dancehall in Spicewood, TX.
Dale Watson at Poodie’s Hilltop Roadhouse . Photo: Will Taylor – LostinAustin.org

Live country music acts, pub grub & a bar offered in a down-home joint with a deck & sunset views. A place with music mojo and damn fine burgers, Poodie’s channels old Austin music treasures like Soap Creek and Checkered Flag. The Poodie’s magic began 1997 when Poodie Locke, longtime stage manager for Willie Nelson, open it’s doors in Spicewood.

Where: 22308 Hwy. 71.
Phone: (512) 264-0318
Web: Poodie’s Hilltop Roadhouse

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Giddy Up’s

Giddy Up's - South Austin Live Music Honky Tonk Bar.  Photo: Will Taylor - LostinAustin.org
Giddy Up’s – South Austin Live Music Honky Tonk Bar. Photo: Will Taylor – LostinAustin.org

The Biggest Little Stage in South Austin. It’s a cozy bar, one of the last true Honky Tonks still existing in South Austin. Ample dance floor and some of Austin’s best country and swing music. Full liquor bar, beer and wine. Non-smoking inside, game room and smoking on patio. There is also outside seating area and absolutely beautiful sunsets. What bar is complete without a few games to blow off steam? After you grab a drink, feel free to ask any of our staff to get shuffleboard pucks and play away! Dice & board games too – just ask staff.

Where: 12010 Menchaca Rd
Phone: (512) 280-4732
Web: Giddy Up’s

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Last Chance Bar & Dancehall

Last Chance Bar and Dancehall - West Austin Honky Tonk Dancehall
Last Chance Bar and Dancehall – West Austin Honky Tonk.
Dancehall – Photo: Will Taylor – LostinAUstin.org

Last Chance Bar & Dancehall is a family-owned Austin live music dance hall. Last Chance provides a fun and safe environment to eat, dance, drink play and relax. The venue offers up 3 stages and access to a variety of live music, karaoke and DJ events. Last Chance has a limited food menu and late night hours of service. This venue is a real Texas dancehall experience. Games include pool, shuffleboard, connect four and more.

Where: 12013 West, US-290,
Phone: (512) 660-5660
Web: Last Chance Bar & Dancehall

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The Little Longhorn Saloon

Ginny’s Little Longhorn Saloon. Rodolfo Gonzalez photo.

For more than two decades, The Little Longhorn Saloon has served as the center of Austin’s honky-tonk country music scene. Have a cold, fresh draft beer for a dollar or two. Happy Hour six-days a week and then on Sunday it’s the you-gotta-see-it-to-believe-it Chicken Sh%t Bingo (if you don’t know, seriously, Google it, and welcome to Austin) that draws 1000’s of Little Longhorn fans from all over the world! On another night the band might be Dale Watson, or Two Hoots and a Holler.

Where: 5434 Burnet Rd.
Phone: (512) 524-1291

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Lone Star Bar

Making for the dance floor at Lone Star Bar in Jonestown on Lake Travis, TX.  Photo: Will Taylor - LostinAustin.org
Making for the dance floor at Lone Star Bar in Jonestown on Lake Travis, TX. Photo: Will Taylor – LostinAustin.org

Lone Star Bar is pure classic Honky Tonk. This is your good old hole in the wall Texas Bar. The self described “National Bar of Texas” is just outside Lago Vista (Jonestown) on Lake Travis’ north shore. Friendly and inviting for regulars and newcomers alike. Lone Star offers cold beer and setups when you bring your own bottle (BYOB). There’s a lounge area, pool tables, full stage and dance floor. There’s a big ice-house backyard with seating, lighting and a second stage for live music when the weather’s right. Live music, karaoke and chicken sh$t bingo. Watch for pool and dart tournaments and lot’s of other special events.

Where: 18655 Ranch Rd 1431
Phone: (512) 267-2234
Web: Lone Star Bar